Virtual Assistants – The Key to Successful Book Marketing and Promotions

Hi

I hope you enjoy some of my articles on virtual assistants & publicity. Please feel free to post your articles as well or send them to me to post. Thanks -- Diana Ennen

Finally, the answer self-publishers and published authors have been looking for to compete in the overwhelming and often oversaturated book publishing industry. They have found the solution for getting the same exposure and media coverage as those authors who are fortunate enough to work with top marketing consultants. They have found the one true answer in getting their book the recognition it deserves. Meet the Virtual Assistant!

Virtual Assistants (VAs) are highly skilled professionals who take the time to excel in their given field. They provide extensive marketing solutions, creative and innovative advertising campaigns, administrative support, proofing and editing capabilities, and other specialized services for entrepreneurs, small businesses, authors, and others who want to bring their business to a new level, or market their books for greater results. VAs work globally, taking full advantage of all the connections of the online book networks, online publishing listserves, and other media outlets that are available to all who know where to find them. They utilize all their expert talents and superb writing abilities for book marketing and promotions, thereby helping entrepreneurs and authors achieve the success they deserve.

Diana Ennen, co-author of Virtual Assistant ~ the Series, Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA (http://www.VA-TheSeries.com) states, “Today’s Internet has opened the doors to successful marketing. Being able to send your books to other online bookstores, promote your books on other sites, contact publishers and editors of papers via e-mail, and just day-to -day tasks of getting publicity is now convenient and available for all to do. As an author myself, I know how important it is to provide that personalized attention to authors, so I make every effort to provide them that specialized attention and total commitment in marketing their books.”

Virtual assisting has also opened up the gateway for e-books and online bookstores. Virtual Word Publishing’s site has a virtual online bookstore and has experienced tremendous growth over the past few months. Self-published authors are getting exposure for their books and establishing themselves as successful authors and experts in their field. The bookstore currently has a wide variety of excellent books on many topics ranging from starting a virtual assistant business to successful tips on marketing your online business.

If you want to stop by the bookstore and see the many fine books, or list your book on the site, stop by today. You can download sample chapters or get research and information on publishing and virtual assisting as well. Simply the Best, that’s what you’ll find here.

***
Diana Ennen has written several books including, The Virtual Assistant Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA (co-author Kelly Poelker), Words From Home: Start, Run, and Profit from a Home-Based Word Processing Business, and The Home Office Recovery Plan (co-Author Patty Gale) Contact Diana at diana@virtualwordpublishing.com or http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com/

Proven How To’s On Starting Your Own Virtual Assisting Business -- By Diana Ennen

Setting up a home-based virtual assistant business is relatively easy, but it's important to have a complete plan of action set out in advance. I'm a firm believer that the initial planning phase of a business is crucial to its success. This ensures that you don't leave any vital steps unaddressed and also prevents any unexpected surprises down the road. Therefore, I recommend first writing a complete business plan for your business. Nothing technical, just how you plan to operate your business including advertising methods, pricing, business hours, equipment and supplies needed, etc.

The next step is to select the appropriate name. Take your time here as you want your business name to be an asset by appealing to your potential clients. Your name needs to clearly express what services you provide and not limit you if you choose to expand your business into other areas. Decide on a name that people would want to call if they have virtual assisting needs.

To operate a business you are required by law to have the appropriate licenses. This is your permit to do business locally. It's a simple procedure that doesn't require a considerable amount of time. Contact your city and county officials under occupational licenses for complete details or go online. Most VAs start out initially as a sole proprietorship and then might change later.
Now it's time to set up your bookkeeping. I find that the most important ingredient to keeping good books is keeping it simple. If it's easy to do, and doesn't require a lot of effort, I tend it do it more regularly. You will want to keep track of all your income and expenses. Save all receipts and pay all your expenses out of your business checking account. A software program such as Quickbooks is ideal for our type of business. Not only does it allow you to keep accurate records, but it also enables you to track exactly where the most money is coming from. This enables you to target your marketing efforts more in that area.

Now you must decide how much to charge. Don't undercharge your services. Many make this mistake. They feel if they price their services substantially below everyone else, they'll get more business. That's true--you might get more business, but you'll also be working outrageous hours and not making the kind of income you should. Call others in your area and see what they are charging. The average prices being charge today are between $35.00 and $70.00, depending on the specialty. I personally recommend starting no lower than $35.00/hr.

Now you need to get those clients. The key to successful marketing is to tell clients what benefits they will receive by answering their main question, "What's in it for me?" Keep in mind, you're not selling your services, you're selling the benefits of your services. What can you offer them that would make their business run more successfully. An example of this would be accurate dependable service done on an “as needed” basis. E-mail me at diana@virtualwordpublishing.com for lots of free samples on obtaining clients.

It is also important to have an impressive marketing piece. Your brochures, letterhead, flyers, business cards, etc., should look sensational. Think back on what has caught your eye in the past. Now design your material with that in mind. The most important requirement is that it must be professional and convey that you are more than someone typing documents. Businesses want to deal with other professionals. They don't want to risk their work, and possibly their clients, on someone who is not. Let them know this is exactly what they will receive when they seek your services. Places such as Vistaprints.offer affordable printing.

Once established, word of mouth is your best advertisement. When people get professional, accurate, and friendly service they tell others. If you offer such exceptional service, you can be assured that you will need to advertise only at the onset to get your business started. From then on, your repeat clients, and referrals from them, will keep your business thriving.

Recognition is also a key to success, whether it's through the Yellow Pages, message boards, newspapers, chats, or school bulletin boards. When clients see your business repeatedly, they become familiar with your company and when the need arises, they will call you. Therefore consider where you can advertise that can keep your name out there. Take advantage of your signature line and often add a P.S. to add emphasis.

Now that you’ve got the clients, you need to keep them. The best way to do this is to always provide them with more than they ask for. Go the extra mile on all assignments. Let them know that you value their business and are eager to help them succeed.

And finally, enjoy your business. Many start their own business to spend more time with their family. It’s the perfect way to stay at home and still make an excellent income. Firmly set your hours and learn to say no. Remember it’s your business and often your dream come true. By learning your limitations, you can keep it a wonderful experience that both you and your family will enjoy.
***
Diana Ennen is the author of numerous books including, Virtual Assistant - The Series: Become a Highly Successful Sought After VA and Workbook, Corel WordPerfect Virtual Assistant Solution Pack, www.corel.com and many more. Visit her at www.virtualwordpublishing.com. Article is free to be reprinted as long as bio remains intact.

A Complete Solution for the Busy or Aspiring Virtual Assistant

Margate, FL (May, 2007) For years, businesses have complained of needing more help around the office to meet the ever-increasing demands of running a successful company. The answer has finally arrived. Highly skilled Virtual Assistants are now on scene offering a global solution to the daily challenges of doing business. As the demand increased for qualified virtual assistants, so did the need for proper training and books on how to become a Virtual Assistant (VA). Corel has stepped up to plate to meet those needs with the release of their latest, WordPerfect® OfficeReady® Virtual Assistant Solution Pack, now available at http://www.corel.com.

The WordPerfect® OfficeReady® Virtual Assistant Solution Pack has been designed with the small business owner in mind. It enables entrepreneurs to successfully open their doors immediately, easily managing their time, while expanding their client base. What makes the Virtual Assistant Solution Pack especially beneficial is the unique combination of its 81-page E-book and workable templates that assist everyday users in creating everything from Expense Budgets and Corporate Brochures, to Consultation Forms and Marketing Letters. The ability to rapidly craft impressive documents, spreadsheets, or presentations hassle free makes this an valuable tool for all VA Businesses.

The Solution Pack offers advantages for both those wishing to start a virtual assistant business and word processing businesses alike. Just some of the benefits include:

1. The ability to establish themselves as an expert in the Virtual Assistant and Word Processing Industry.
2. The information to help them prosper in their own niche, such as publicity, medical or legal transcription, web design, bookkeeping, and so many more.
3. The access to all the tools they need to succeed right at their fingertips. No need to reinvent the wheel every time they need an example of an invoice, etc.
4. Excellent information for the already established VAs to further expand their businesses.
.
The WordPerfect OfficeReady Templates were written in conjunction with Corel to assist millions across the globe in the ever-growing virtual assisting industry. The Virtual Assistant Solution Pack was designed with great care and precision by Diana Ennen, an VA Industry Leader and president of Virtual Word Publishing, http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com, with valuable contributions from several professional virtual assistants including her co-author of numerous other books, Kelly Poelker.

Virtual Assistants makes it easy for busy executives and small businesses to get the most out of their time without hiring part-time or full-time assistance or having to accommodate an additional person in their office. For Virtual Assistants, working from home means more flexibility in their schedules, and the ability to put their vast skills and experiences to use, earning a greater income.

The OfficeReady Virtual Assistant Solution Pack gives its users the proper tools to turn their independent small businesses into successful enterprises. So start your business today or grow your existing business by ordering your copy at the Corel site, http://www.corel.com.

Virtual Assistant Article - Do's and Don'ts for starting a business

In sharing some of my favorite articles, I thought I'd share this one. It's one of my favorites.

If you are looking to start your own Virtual Assistant Business, say hi and ask a question in our comment section. Let's see what we can do to help you achieve success!

Do's and Don'ts for Starting a Virtual Assistant Business

Virtual Assistants (VAs) are highly skilled professionals who provide administrative support and specialized services to businesses, entrepreneurs, executives, and others who have more work to do than time to do it. Examples of services a VA can do include web design and maintenance, word processing, meeting and event planning, desktop publishing, internet research, e-mail coordination, business start-up consultations and so much more. This can be the perfect work-at-home opportunity for many with good computer and Internet skills. Following are several Do’s and Dont’s to keep in mind for starting and operating your Virtual Assisting business.

DO -- Decide on a targeted market and initially focus your marketing efforts in that area. By developing a “niche” in your field, your reputation spreads quickly and soon you become a recognized expert. Several specialties include: medical, legal or business transcription, resume consulting, transaction coordination -- real estate industry, desktop publishing, manuscript preparing, academic typing, e-mail support, internet research, etc.

DO -- Be creative about where you can find business. The Internet offers a large variety of potential for clients just waiting for you to contact them. Actively network and don’t limit your marketing to simply placing a few ads in newspapers or the Yellow Pages. You want to find where there might be a need- and go fill it.

DO -- Write a complete business plan and marketing plan. Too many leave out this vital step and waste valuable time unorganized and without a clear-cut goal and direction for their business. When starting a business you will have tons of ideas floating around. You need to materialize all these and put them into a workable plan of action.

DO -- Develop a website that looks sensational! Your website is often the first connection a potential client has with your services. It must immediately let them know that they are dealing with a professional. Your site must then have the POWER to draw them to you and contact you. Let them see that you value quality by the look and feel of it. Additional tips include letting them know what services you offer and why you are qualified to offer those services by mentioning your experience and education. Be sure to include points on why you stand out among the rest and are the BEST! For example, if you have been featured in articles, radio shows, etc., have them listed with the dates.

DO -- Learn everything you can about starting a business. Knowledge is power and the more you know, the greater your chances for success. Look to online services and message boards and chats to talk with other Virtual Assistants operating a business. Remember these are often run by pros who have been in business for years and are willing to share their experience. For example, I mentor and manage virtual assisting boards on HBWM.com, Bizymoms.com, Momspreneursonline.com and VAnetworking.com. With 20 year’s experience, I often know what works and what doesn’t in starting a business and staying successful, so my experience can prove beneficial.

DO -- Join associations that are targeted for our Industry. A few of the more popular ones are IAVOA.com and IVAA.com, but there are many others. By connecting with these associations and being active, you learn from them what works and what doesn’t and you are able to post your questions to associate members via list serves often getting answers to your questions within minutes.

DO -- Read, read, read. By frequently continuing to increase your skills and your knowledge of your profession, the end result is a more confident satisfied you. Every tip you get from a book can be a new tool in your business. I recommend highlighting areas from several books and adding them to your library. Keep in mind that you might not use that idea today, but it might apply to specialties you might add down the road.

DO – Enjoy. There’s no greater feeling than landing that first client or finishing your first big project. Plus, wait until you get the opportunity to tell someone you own and operate your own virtual assisting business. It sure beats I’m a secretary at .... Plus, when you enjoy your business it shows. Your clients will sense your positive attitude and want to be a part of your team.

DON'T -- Underprice your services. The average virtual assistant today makes $35 to $70 an hour, depending on their skills, services offered, location, and years of experience. Don’t make the mistake of assuming if you charge the lowest prices, you’ll get the most work. You won’t. Instead, you’ll end up working outrageous hours for peanuts! Clients will pay more for professional services. When a potential client discovers you’re charging a lower rate than standard, they often feel they will receive a quality of services that is also lower.

DON'T -- Overextend yourself. One of the common mistakes many virtual assistants make is to accept too much work and then not be able to accurately complete it. Learn to say no or have a back-up helper who can assist you with any overflow work. Remember one of the most important ingredients for success is keeping your clients satisfied. If you overextend yourself and make a lot of errors, it will jeopardize your business.

DON'T -- Get discouraged. It takes time to get a business going. Plan ahead and have money saved in reserve. Don’t buy items until you have found the best possible price and there is an absolute need. This advance planning takes the pressure off of having to make money NOW. If things are slow and the phone just isn’t ringing ... MAKE IT RING!! There’s plenty of work out there, you just need to aggressively pursue it.

Finally, the most important ingredient for success is your belief in yourself. If you believe that with your skills and experience, you can own your own business, then there’s nothing stopping you. DREAMS DO COME TRUE. SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN.
*************
Diana Ennen, Author, Virtual Assistant: The Series, Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA, & Words From Home / http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com, http://www.virtualassistantstartups.com diana@virtualwordpublishing.com -- Send for our free booklet on obtaining clients.

Virtual Assistant Teleclass

I'll thrilled to be offering with a Virtual Assistant Teleclass with Joan Stewart, the Publicity Hound, and Cindy Greenway tomorrow, May 17th at 1 p.m. We will discuss how to find a virtual assistant, what is a virtual assistant, how clients can best work with virtual assistants, hiring a virtual assistant, and also the niche of publicity with lots of pr tips. Joan has some great things planned for the class.

Here's what she had in her newsletter to announce the teleclass. Please join us.

1. Stop Doing it All Yourself

This month, Reader's Digest and the Wall Street Journal both have articles on the booming virtual assistant industry. Stay-at-home moms and dads as well as talented but sometimes
jaded employees who are tired of the corporate world are setting up shop for themselves, working for clients in their own communities or thousands of miles away. With skills such as bookkeeping, website development and public relations, they're helping clients get speaking engagements, maintain their websites, do invoicing, compile media kits, help with other publicity tasks and do lots of other detail work that drives people like me crazy.

"There is so much work for VAs, the field is thriving, absolutely booming," said VA Diana Ennen, who was quoted in the Reader's Digest article. She is the co-author of "Virtual Assistant the
Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA." My own virtual assistant has freed me up to plan and launch three major projects that will create new revenue streams this year.
Isn't it time you, too, stopped trying to do it all yourself?

I'll even help you.

Diana will team up with longtime virtual assistant Cindy Greenway and join me during a teleseminar I'm hosting at 1 p.m. Eastern Time this Thursday, May 17. It's called "How to Find a Virtual Assistant to Help with Your Publicity Campaign." We'll save you hours of time searching for a V.A. by telling you exactly where to look and what kinds of questions to ask during the interview. We'll explain how V.A.s charge for their services and share tips for smooth sailing. We'll even talk about sensitive topics like how to set boundaries with your assistant.
I first met Cindy several weeks ago when I contacted one of her clients to participate in a joint venture project. He invited Cindy, his assistant, to join the call and take notes. I assumed
she worked in his office. What I didn't realize until three weeks later is that he's in Phoenix, Arizona and she's in British Columbia, Canada. That's one of the beauties of working with a
V.A. They can perform most the same tasks they could perform if they were seated next to you.

If you're flirting with the idea of hiring a V.A., join us this Thursday. Registration is $39.95 which includes a recording of the call on CD that we'll mail to you about 10 days later.
After you've hired your V.A., or found a part-time assistant, join me for a one-week intensive training program June 11-15, via telephone seminars. This will be just like sending
your V.A., part-time or full-time assistant, or summer intern to publicity school. I will teach them how to handle all the publicity grunt work--from researching media outlets to tracking
down the most influential bloggers. They'll even learn how to help you maintain your online media room.

Several guest experts will be joining me for the calls. If you're a V.A. who completes the training, you'll have an entirely new skill set that will probably allow you to raise your fees. I'll
share all the details with you in the next week or two. Register for the May 17 call on how to find a V.A. at
http://publicityhound.com/teleseminar.htm

Reprinted from "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week," an ezine featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity. Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and
receive by email the handy list "89 Reasons to Send a News
Release."